November elections are a way off but the race is on

By Michael Miller

Well folks, as I’m sure you know by now, and if you don’t know you will become increasingly aware of it in the coming months, there is a general election on Tuesday, November 4th that not only affects national and state government but local government as well.

Neighbor communities Palmetto Bay and Cutler Bay have seats up for grab on their village council and town council, respectively, and although the deadline for qualifying isn’t until mid-summer a number of prospective candidates have already announced their intention to run for public office. There may be more announcing later, but here are the ones so far.

In the Palmetto Bay elections the seats up for grab are the office of Mayor and Village Council District 1 and District 3. For mayor, incumbent Shelley Stanczyk will face Patrick M. Fiore (currently the District 1 councilman), Eugene Flinn (the former mayor) and Peter A. England, who has run previously. For the District 1 seat being vacated by Fiore the announced candidates are Karyn Cunningham and David Zisman. Questions? Contact the Village Clerk at malexander@palmettobayfl.gov.

In Cutler Bay candidates may qualify for the office of Mayor, Council Seat 1 or Council Seat 3. Running for mayor will be Peggy Bell, who is the current Seat 3 Councilmember, and newcomer Arthur Nanni, Jr., a Realtor. For Council Seat 3, being vacated by Bell, Roger Coriat, a teacher, is running. No-one has announced they’re running yet for Seat 1 against incumbent Councilmember Mary Ann Mixon. Questions? Contact the Town Clerk at deastman@cutlerbay-fl.gov.

Election officials tell us that any candidate receiving a number of votes greater than 50 percent of the total number of ballots cast shall be duly elected to the Council and no run-offs shall be required. If required, a run-off election will be held on November 25.

Hook, line and sinker… And now news about a different kind of competition that may be more your kettle of fish, so to speak, the Black Point Yacht Club is sponsoring their annual Fishing Tournament on Saturday, May 17. That’s just a few weeks away, so mark your calendars. There’s a fish fry at Black Point Marina following the tournament, and there are captain and crew gifts as well as great raffle prizes. Tournament prizes are as follows: 1st Place Total Aggregate 3 Fish – $1000, 2nd Place Total Aggregate 3 Fish – $500, 3rd Place

Total Aggregate 3 Fish – $250, and for the Top Female Angler Prize – $125. The entry fee is $200 per boat, but that covers four anglers.

There’s a Captain’s Meeting on Thursday, May 15. For more info call Chuck Latshaw at 305-766-2835.

Cutler Bay Movie Night… this one’s about a month away. The next Movie Night is on Friday, May 30, at 7 p.m., at Lakes by the Bay Park, located at 8551 SW 216th Street. The film is the wacky animated adventure, “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2.” For more info call Town Hall at 305-234-4262.

New in Palmetto Bay… we hear you can now contact the entire Village Council as a group by sending a group e-mail to the Mayor, Vice Mayor, and District 1-2-3 Councilmembers via council@palmettobay-fl.gov. And TV fans, here’s something — through the Village’s bilateral agreement with the Miami Film Office, Univision recently paid the Village to use the Thalatta Estate as a back-drop for a Latin reality show in which a bride can win $10,000.

Thought of the Day:

We will never have true civilization until we have learned to recognize the rights of others.
— Will Rogers